Cardinals (10-7) @ Panthers (12-4) - January 10th, 2009

By WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

Most people expected the Arizona Cardinals to get bounced last weekend in the wild-card round by the Atlanta Falcons, but the Cards rediscovered running game and a defense in ousting the Falcons, earning a rematch of a Week 8 game with the NFC South champion Carolina Panthers on Saturday night.

Carolina is the biggest favorite on the WagerWeb.com board for this weekend’s games as 9.5-point favorites over Atlanta.

The Panthers prevailed in Week 8 in Charlotte, 27-23, but Arizona very easily could have won that game. The Cards led 17-3 in the third quarter before Carolina scored two quick touchdowns thanks to an Edgerrin James turnover (Edge lost his starting job after the game). Cards QB Kurt Warner had his way with the Carolina secondary, throwing for 381 yards, the most Carolina allowed this season until Week 17. The Panthers were unbeaten at home this year, winning by an average of 15 points, but that Arizona game was the closest of all of them.

The problem facing Arizona is that it never plays well when in the Eastern time zone. The Cardinals are 2-19 in the Eastern time zone over the past six years, including 0-5 this season. And they were slaughtered in some of those this year, getting outscored a combined 202-102.

For the most part, the difference in Saturday’s game should be whichever unit succeeds better: Carolina’s run offense or Arizona’s passing game.



Carolina has averaged more than 190 rushing yards over its last eight games and DeAngelo Williams and rookie Jonathan Stewart have combined for more than 2,300 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns this season. Williams had 108 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting, and the Cards were a middle-of-the-road team in terms of run defense this season, although they shut down Michael Turner last week.

Arizona was second in the league with 292.1 passing yards per game and third with 31 passing touchdowns behind Warner and his stellar group of receivers. Carolina was ranked 16th against the pass, allowing an average of 211.7 yards per game.

Injury-wise, it favors Carolina. The Panthers had last week off and are very healthy, with only right guard Geoff Hangartner probably missing Saturday’s game. Arizona could be without the services of All-Pro receiver Anquan Boldin. He suffered a hamstring injury last week vs. the Falcons and will be a game-time decision Boldin had nine catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns (and a 30-yard run) in the first meeting with Carolina.. He would be replaced in the starting lineup by Steve Breaston, a 1,000-yard receiver himself. Breaston made the most of his chances when Boldin missed two games earlier this year with a facial injury. Breaston had seven catches for 77 yards against Buffalo, then caught eight for 102 yards and a touchdown in the Cardinals’ 30-24 overtime victory over Dallas. Arizona was 3-1 overall when Boldin was sidelined.

WagerWeb.com Game Trends

* Cardinals are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 Saturday games.
* Cardinals are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in January.
* Cardinals are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
* Cardinals are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog.
* Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
* Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0.
* Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Cardinals are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Cardinals are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a road underdog.
* Panthers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
* Panthers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 playoff games.
* Panthers are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games as a favorite.
* Panthers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 Saturday games.
* Panthers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.
* Panthers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
* Panthers are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 home games.
* Panthers are 13-4 ATS in their last 17 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
* Panthers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games in January.
* Panthers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games as a home favorite.
* Panthers are 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 games on grass.
* Panthers are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
* Panthers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
* Panthers are 14-6-1 ATS in their last 21 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Panthers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Panthers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
* Over is 5-0 in Cardinals last 5 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
* Over is 5-1 in Cardinals last 6 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Over is 23-6 in Cardinals last 29 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0.
* Over is 20-6 in Cardinals last 26 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Over is 39-12 in Cardinals last 51 games as a road underdog.
* Over is 22-7 in Cardinals last 29 games on grass.
* Over is 21-7 in Cardinals last 28 games following a S.U. win.
* Over is 23-8 in Cardinals last 31 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
* Over is 38-14 in Cardinals last 52 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
* Over is 19-7 in Cardinals last 26 games following a ATS win.
* Over is 37-14 in Cardinals last 51 games as an underdog.
* Over is 38-15 in Cardinals last 53 road games.
* Over is 20-8 in Cardinals last 28 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Over is 41-18 in Cardinals last 59 vs. NFC.
* Over is 36-16 in Cardinals last 52 games overall.
* Over is 46-22 in Cardinals last 68 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Over is 4-0 in Panthers last 4 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
* Under is 9-0 in Panthers last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Over is 4-0 in Panthers last 4 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
* Under is 4-0 in Panthers last 4 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Over is 7-0 in Panthers last 7 vs. NFC.
* Over is 6-1 in Panthers last 7 Saturday games.
* Over is 6-1 in Panthers last 7 games overall.
* Under is 5-1 in Panthers last 6 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.
* Over is 5-1 in Panthers last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Over is 4-1 in Panthers last 5 games following a S.U. win.
* Over is 4-1 in Panthers last 5 games on grass.
* Over is 4-1 in Panthers last 5 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
* Under is 4-1 in Panthers last 5 games as a home favorite of 3.5-10.0.
* Over is 4-1 in Panthers last 5 games following a ATS win.
* Over is 7-2 in Panthers last 9 playoff games.
* Over is 9-3 in Panthers last 12 games in January.
* Under is 11-4 in Panthers last 15 home games.
* Over is 5-2 in Panthers last 7 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Under is 15-7 in Panthers last 22 games as a home favorite.
* Underdog is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
* Road team is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings.

Bet on Cardinals @ Panthers